exhilaration

noun

ig-ˌzi-lə-ˈrā-shən How to pronounce exhilaration (audio)
Definition of exhilarationnext
1
as in thrill
a pleasurably intense stimulation of the feelings the lavish spectacle results in one exhilaration after another

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2
as in ecstasy
a state of overwhelming usually pleasurable emotion the exhilaration of victory that spectators get to witness at the Olympic Games

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of exhilaration But when the exhilaration of change had ceased, London was no good. — Literary Hub, 10 June 2026 Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomáš Hertl roared in exhilaration. — Jesse Granger, New York Times, 2 June 2026 Only a few will experience the exhilaration of victory. — Peter Folan, Boston Herald, 23 May 2026 Pumping iron, and apparently the exhilaration of combat, has got this 67-year-old plenty revved up. — Shawn Tully, Fortune, 6 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for exhilaration
Recent Examples of Synonyms for exhilaration
  1. thrill
  2. ecstasy
  3. kick
  4. joy
  5. elation
  6. happiness
  7. euphoria
  8. heaven
Noun
  • That the stakes are high only augments the thrill of unlocking their working equation.
    — Artforum, Artforum, 28 Sep. 2026
  • The show seems to hope that the thrill of fan service will do the heavy lifting, shoving one seemingly meaningful cameo appearance after another in front of the camera.
    — Jen Chaney, Vulture, 26 Sep. 2026
Definition of thrill
Noun
  • Dance movies marvelously translate primal emotions into motion, the human body becoming a supple instrument deftly communicating the pain, ecstasy and confusion of being alive.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
  • In the space of a few paragraphs, Ned will abandon and recover his child, bungle an extramarital affair, win and lose, experience ecstasy and dejection.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of ecstasy
Noun
  • Cola Addict captures that fizzy first sip with zippy lemon and lime, spicy ginger, and a kick of cinnamon that almost mimics the tingle of carbonation.
    — Amanda Le, InStyle, 24 Sep. 2026
  • People, wildlife and domestic animals get valley fever when the soil in these burrows is disturbed, by a dog digging, a kick of the boot, a shovel, construction equipment, wind or wildfire.
    — Susanne Rust Follow, Los Angeles Times, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of kick
Noun
  • The resulting feature centers on the challenges, joys and intimate journeys of being born with a body outside the physical definitions of male or female, explored through the lives of intersex individuals in India, Brazil and the United States.
    — Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 25 Sep. 2026
  • The preview ends with a heart-swelling image of Osbourne smiling and squirming with joy in his throne.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of joy
Noun
  • And just like in the original movie, there was disappointment along with elation.
    — Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Sep. 2026
  • It is disjointed beyond belief, a wrestling match between dismay and elation.
    — George Caulkin, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of elation
Noun
  • Appearing alongside his band and several back-up singers, Flowers gave a rousing performance of the country ballad, which reflects on whether money can buy happiness.
    — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2026
  • Vacation photos emphasize happiness even when the experience was stressful.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of happiness
Noun
  • Like morphine and fentanyl, cychlorphine locks onto the brain’s mu-opioid receptors, reducing pain and increasing euphoria.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 30 Sep. 2026
  • The documentary features footage of Liam and Noel rehearsing for the tour, reacting to the universal euphoria of the crowds, and discussing their newfound respect for each other.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of euphoria
Noun
  • This world’s heavens are lit with cosmic rays, its cityscapes otherworldly — everything seems to service an unabashed romanticism.
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • And thanks to Tucson’s extraordinarily dark heavens, the Sonoran skyscape takes center stage with Peace Among the Stars.
    — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of heaven

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Exhilaration.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/exhilaration. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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